Lady Lions Rally from Slow Start to Secure SLC Championship Match Spot

Lady Lions Rally from Slow Start to Secure SLC Championship Match Spot

November 24, 2024 Catherine Williams - Chief Editor Sports

Southeastern Louisiana University Volleyball Advances to Championship

Southeastern Louisiana University volleyball team won 3-1 against Incarnate Word in the Southland Conference semifinals. The match took place on Saturday night at the University Center. The sets ended with scores of 18-25, 25-20, 25-19, and 25-19.

This victory allows Southeastern (26-4) to reach the SLC Tournament Championship for the third consecutive year. They aim to win the championship for the third time in a row. In the finals, they will face Texas A&M-Corpus Christi (19-10), who beat Stephen F. Austin in the earlier semifinal. The championship match is set for Sunday at 3 p.m. and will be aired on ESPN+.

In the match, Southeastern started slow, hitting below .100 in the first set. However, they improved their performance, finishing with a .221 hitting percentage. The team recorded 61 kills and 25 errors on 163 attacks. Southeastern also contributed eight service aces and 12 total blocks. Incarnate Word (17-11) ended with 46 kills, 24 errors, and a .143 hitting percentage.

Head coach Jeremy White praised his team’s resilience. He noted that Incarnate Word opened strong but that his team matched their energy in the second set. Key players included Lily Morgan and Kibi Huggins, who contributed significantly.

Cicily Hidalgo, named the SLC Player of the Year, led the team with 19 kills and earned her 16th double-double of the season. Keira Beverly also stood out with 14 kills and three aces, while Alexis Logarbo added 10 kills.

The match began with Incarnate Word taking the lead. Southeastern fought back in the second set, with key plays by Hidalgo and Beverly securing a win to tie the match. The team maintained momentum into the third and fourth sets, ultimately winning the match.

Coach White highlighted the program’s success and expressed hope for bringing home another championship. The winner of the final will earn a spot in the NCAA Division I Volleyball National Championship Tournament, starting on December 5.

Support Southeastern Volleyball

Fans can support the Southeastern volleyball program by joining the Diggin’ It Club. For alumni, the S Club is also available. Membership fees support the volleyball program. More information can be requested from the Lion Athletics Association.

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